Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report © Árbitro Internacional & The Third Team

(ESP) SPAIN 2:1 MEXICO (MEX)

Round of 16, 2 July 2013, 17:00 CET – Istanbul (TUR)

Match Officials Name ORI Mark1 Mark2 Difficulty3

Referee Alireza Faghani IRN 8.3 Normal
Assistant Referee 1 Hassan Kamranifar IRN 8.3 Normal
Assistant Referee 2 Reza Sokhandan IRN 8.3 Normal
Fourth Official Sandro Ricci BRA 8.3 Normal
Blog Referee Observer Chefren ITA
1
Final mark according to evaluation scale.
2
Mark without crucial mistake.
3
Difficulty has to be integrated into the final mark. Levels of difficulty are: “normal”, “challenging” and “very challenging”.
4
Blog-Referee Observer =Inofficial referee observer appointed by the blog administrator.

Evaluation scale
(for referee, ARs and Description of the Marks
fourth official)
9.0 – 10.0 Excellent.
8.5 – 8.9 Very good. Important decision(s) correctly taken.
8.3 – 8.4 Good. Expected level.
8.2 Satisfactory with small areas for improvement.
8.0 – 8.1 Satisfactory with important areas for improvement.
7.9 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.3 or above.
7.8 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.0 – 8.2.
Below expectation, poor control, significant point(s) for
7.5 – 7.7
improvement.
Disappointing. Below expectation with one and clear important
7.0 – 7.4 mistake or a performance with two or more clear and important
mistakes.
6.0 – 6.9 Unacceptable.

Small description of the match (extra-ordinary incidents etc.):

Round of 16 in this FIFA U-20 WC 2013, match played between Spain (group A winner) and
Mexico (group D third-placed). The referee appointed was Alireza Faghani from Iran, at his second
match after Chile-England in the group stage. The game was played in Instanbul at Ali Sami Yen
Stadium, in front of an attendance of 7,211. Overall, it was a quite easy match for the referee,
without crucial or relevant situations to evaluate.
 Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report © Árbitro Internacional & The Third Team

Referee
Crucial Decisions (refer to penalty kicks, sending-off situations etc.)

Minute and Description of the Scene / Assessment of the referee’s decision

nothing to report

Basic Observations (refer to the general application of the LotG, highlight the
referee’s tactical approach, personality, match control, management of the teams
and players, teamwork etc.).
Please deploy short but precise and detailed sentences!

Positive Points
His card management showed a good knowledge of the LotG. The first card was
correctly given for a player which deliberately tried to delay the resumption of the
1. game (mandatory situation), while the second was given for a clear foul on a
player which was running towards the area. No DOGSO because there was
another defender, and Faghani was able to notice that. Well done.
2. The foul detection was overall good, he whistled the needed in a fair match.
3. Teamwork was ok, a few situations were reported to him by assistants
4. Communication with players and control of the game. Never problems.

Points for Improvement

1. Excessive usage of the whistle in each situation, trying to recall players.

The referee’s character

Physical Aspects + Expected -

Fitness / Stamina X
Always close to play without interfering with it X
Flexible diagonal movement X
Positioning at set pieces X
Efficient positioning, having a good angle of
X
vision to play
Close to the penalty area, if needed X
Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report © Árbitro Internacional & The Third Team

very very
Tactical Approach lenient medium strict
lenient strict
Description X

Yes So-so No
Consistency in the tactical approach / style X
The tactical approach suited to the require-
ments of the match / the match benefitted X
from the tactical approach of the referee
Ability to adapt the tactical approach if
X
needed

Further observations (peculiarities of the referee revealing his character)

Both teams made the work easier for the referee, thank to the fact that they
were fair, showing a good football. There wasn’t room for complaints, and the
approach chosen by the Iranian official suited well in this match. He can
receive a further appointment in this tournament.
 Unofficial Referee Observer’s Report © Árbitro Internacional & The Third Team

Assistant Referee 1

Please assess the first assistant referee’s performance.

Minute and Description of the Scene / Assessment of the AR’s behaviour

30’ Paco Alcacer (ESP) is flagged offside. Correct decision.
61’ Corona (MEX) is flagged offside. Correct and important decision.

Assistant Referee 2
Please assess the second assistant referee’s performance.

Minute and Description of the Scene / Assessment of the AR’s behaviour

32’ Corona (MEX) is correctly evaluated onside.
50’ Paco Alcacer (ESP) is correctly evaluated onside.
74’ Derik (ESP) scores starting from a regular position.

Fourth Official

Please assess the fourth official’s performance.

Minute and Description of the Scene / Assessment of the fourth official’s behaviour
Expected level for the fourth official Sandro Ricci. His duties were well executed,
Full time
nothing extra-ordinary or relevant happened near the benches.